Page 25 of Daddy Issues

“Already have,” I admit, knowing there’s no damn way he’ll catch on to who it is that’s consuming my time.

My phone buzzing in my pocket pulls my attention from the conversation. Pulling it out, I recognize the number as the elementary school. I click accept, a rush of nerves shooting through me.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this Mr. Colson, Mila’s dad?”

“Hi, yes it is.”

“Hey, it’s Laura, the school nurse at the elementary school.”

My heart stumbles in my chest.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is just fine. Mila started her period. She’s doing okay, seemed very calm, and knew exactly what to do but she is uncomfortable and asked if she could go home.”

My brain buzzes with white noise as her words slam into me. Mila started herperiod? My Mila?

“Uhm, yes. Of course, I’m on my way.”

I hang up the phone but can’t seem to talk to tell Liam to pull over. My little girl started her period? A steady hand clamps my shoulder, demanding my attention.

“Hey, old man, you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little stunned. Mila started her period and wants to come home. Shit. She probably wouldn’t want that spread around town.”

Liam chuckles.

“Don’t worry, secret’s safe with me. Damn, I’m glad that is years off for Charlotte. You good?”

“No. Yeah. I don’t know. Let me hop out, I’ll jog over to the parking lot. I’ve gotta go pick her up.”

“Nah, I’ll text Dal and let them know I’m gonna be a minute, I’ll drive you,” Liam says as he glances over at me. “You sure you’re okay? Lookin’ a little pale.”

I wipe my sweaty palms over my denim-clad thighs.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just processing. Little bit of a shock.”

“I get it. I’m sure I’ll react the same when Charlie gets hers in a few years. Hell, hopefully it’s more than a few years. Hannah’s periods kick her ass and she’s a tough one. I feel bad for the female population, man.”

“You’re tellin’ me. My poor little girl.”

“You’ve handled everything up until this point like a badass, this is no different. But if you need anything, let us know. Han wouldn’t hesitate to help out. You got Hailey, too, right?”

At the sound of her name, my heart quickens, she’d know exactly what to do.

“Yeah, everything’ll be fine. And Mila is so mature for her age. Just gotta process that my baby isn’t my baby anymore.”

“Bullshit, old man, I refuse to believe that. They’ll always be our babies. Charlotte will always be my baby. I don’t care if she’s 5, 15, or 50.”

I chuckle, and it breaks up some of my nerves. Once I’m in my truck, I call the first person that comes to mind. Hailey picks up on the first ring, her soft, cheerful voice filling the cab.

“Hey, you, how is your day?”

“Mila started her period. I’m on my way to pick her up at school, she wants to come home.”

“Aww! Such a big event! Do you need anything?”

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